Old Testament Warriors

The Clash of Cultures in the Ancient Near East

by

Simon Elliott

  Whether you view the Old Testament as a religious work, or just as a historical record of the Jewish People, the information inside it is a gold mine for historians. It is filled with tons of places and events that have been verified by archaeologists, and in the written records of the other Near Eastern Peoples of the time. While most people would be aware of the warring between Israel/Judah and the Philistines, the nation of Israel was at the crossroads of the various kingdoms and empires that surrounded it. So unfortunately, it became a battlefield in the seesaw fighting that took place among them. This book shows the reader the history of the warriors and warfare from the earliest times to about 500 BC. 

 This volume is not a large book at around 150 pages. However, it is an excellent primer for the reader who has not delved into the Near Eastern history of this time frame. The books gives us information on these, and other, following Kingdoms/Peoples:

Egypt

Nubia

Cannan

Libya

Minoans 

Mycenaeans

Sea Peoples

Hebrew

Philistine

Hittite

Assyrian

Babylonian

 Given the shortness of the book, it does not go into too much detail. You do however get to read about the 'Genesis of Chariot Warfare', and the armies of the above listed Peoples. The Kings you will see written in its pages may or may not be known to you. Pharaohs such as: Ramesses II, and the Hittite King Suppiluliumas I. The Assyrian king Ashurbanipal, and the Akkadian Sargon the Great. Along with many others are shown to the reader. 

 For someone who is interested in the history, and most especially the warfare, behind the Old Testament, this book is the best first stop for the reader that I can recommend. Thank you, Casemate Publishers for allowing me to review this great book. This proves that good things do come in small packages.

Robert

Book: Old Testament Warriors:

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Author: Simon Elliott:

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 Romans at War

The Roman Military in the Republic and the Empire

by

Simon Elliott

 This book is oversized, at right around 300 pages long. It is also filled with pictures of reenactors, and art and ruins that the Romans left to us. The author gives himself a hard task to show the whole history of Roman warfare in one volume. Normally, books are written about Roman warfare with the history of it split between the Republic and Empire eras. Even if you are writing about just the actual Roman era, without adding in the Byzantine, you are talking about 1000 years of history. In this book the author has taken up the challenge to show us all 1000 years in one book.

 These are the chapters of the book:

1. The Roman Republic

2. The Republican Military

3. The Roman Empire

4. The Principate Military

5. The Dominate Military

6. On Campaign and in Battle

7. Non-Conflict Role of the Roman Military

8. Allies and Enemies of Rome

Conclusion

 From the earliest times of Rome, to the destruction of the Empire after more than 400 years, the author shows us this panoply of history. In the book are a number of maps and a very nice timeline of the entire period. We are presented with these personalities: Scipio Africanus, Marius, Sulla, Caesar, Trajan, Septimius Severus, Stilicho,  and the entire cast of those 1000 years.

 Naturally, given a book of 300 pages, this book can only do an overview of most of the historical information. However, I am quite surprised about how much the author managed to stuff into this book. This book is an excellent starting point for someone who wants to learn about the Roman system of war. It is also a handy reference guide for those of us who have already delved deeply into the field. Mr. Elliott has been able to do much more with these 300 pages than I thought possible. It is a pretty amazing feat. Thank you Casemate Publishers for allowing me to review this great book. Do yourself a favor and check out some of the other books by the author.

Robert

Book: Romans at war: The Roman Military in the Republic and Empire

Author: Simon Elliott

Publisher: Casemate Publishers